Show IV LV social j CIAL PIONEERS men and women form good fellowship club together under Y W C k A leadership the good fellowship club has made its appearance in society in china it began with the desire of a pro gresslee gress gres lve sIve young chinese doctor to gi gie gic e his compatriots especially the christians some healthful form of social intercourse ter course channels for a good clean social life among chinese people are very limited until recently becoming a christian often meant cutting oneself off from ones friends and relatives also from toast feast days and festivals As for joint meetings of women well such a tiling thing was w as never heard beard of in decent society the young doctors plan of having a club where men and their wives wires might come together to enjoy a good time with each other was discouraged and sniffed at however a few people agreed to be pioneers in the cause of social intercourse and Y W C A secretaries ret aries arles agreed to help make the club a success at first the meetings of the club were laughed at by outsiders and the whole affair considered it a joke however the members kept on meeting first tit at one house and then at another soon the men got over the feeling of strangeness at starting out with their wives on tuesday evening for a friends home the women began to enjoy the outing and to take part in me the discussions a an intelligent part too much to the surprise of 0 their husbands the membership grew the clubs fame began to spread at first the discussions cus cuss lons of the club ore ere conducted in english soon it aci ame necessary for them to be carried on la in chinese so that more of the women could understand der stand and take part many of the scoffers sc offers began to apply tor for admission the members began indulging in much friendly chaffing and occasionally forgot their dignity to play jokes on one another finally it became so large that it had to be divided into two sections which met separately three tuesday evenings in the month and on the fourth tuesday met together for a joint session with a special program students just returned from american and german colleges an old buddhist scholar who Is particularly interested in fit the discussion on buddhism and christianity merchants railroad and government officials compose th the mens side of the room the women are still a bit shy about talking in front of so many people but many of them show signs of great executive ability and power of leadership they are all well poised clear thinking individuals vi who will have a great influence on chinas cainas future they discuss among themselves group meetings in their various amusements for chinese women social service work subscription lists tor for the orphanage cake nia malting icing types of stoves baby diets the latest engagement and other topics such as one would hear bear discussed by a group of women gathered together any place in america the social martof the evening Is given over to games which at first astound the sober chinese gentlemen but which they take up with great zest after the first evening and their wives enjoy it just as greatly real american picnics are the latest thing which the club has tried and they are a great success A christmas play Is being planned now |